Her grandmother, Jerilyn Johnson, was diagnosed with leukemia in December after her husband took her to the emergency room for what she thought was the flu.

The Buscemis told Channel 4 Action News’ Sally Wiggin they were honest with their children, including Maddie, about how serious the diagnosis was.

“When I found out, I felt broken and lost, because my mom is my best friend,” said Madison's mom, Kelly Buscemi. “We had to tell her that some people can die from leukemia but that we know grandma is a fighter."

From there, Maddie jumped into action to help her grandma, first by knitting a scarf.

“But I messed up a couple times, so I quit doing that, and I decided I was going to collect scarves instead,” said Maddie.